Gophers beat UCLA, advance in NCAA tournament

AUSTIN, Texas - Andre Hollins scored 28 points and Minnesota rolled past punchless UCLA 83-63 on Friday night in the second round of the NCAA tournament, a game that could be Bruins freshman Shabazz Muhammad's last in college and coach Ben Howland's final one leading the program.

Austin Hollins scored 16 for the 11th-seeded Gophers (21-12), who advanced to Sunday's third round against No. 3 seed Florida in the South Regional. The Gophers eased some pressure on coach Tubby Smith by giving him his first NCAA tournament win in six seasons.

Another early-round exit by the sixth-seeded Bruins (25-10) won't help Howland, who is facing public speculation back home about his future despite winning the Pac-12 regular-season title this year.

Muhammad, expected to leave for the NBA, led the Bruins with 20 points.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)